Three former councilmen had to stop at red lights on their
drives home from City Hall Monday night, at least figuratively.
Three former councilmen had to stop at red lights on their drives home from City Hall Monday night, at least figuratively.
Former Councilman Russ Valiquette used this analogy in his farewell speech Monday night. He referred to former U.S. President Harry Truman, who discovered that his limo driver actually began to stop at red lights after Dwight Eisenhower won the nation’s highest office.
“Figuratively speaking, I will start stopping at red lights,” Valiquette told the council and about 40 people in City Hall, mostly friends and families of former and current councilmembers. Valiquette served as a councilman since 2003 and as a planning commissioner from 2001 to 2003.
Councilmembers Perry Woodward, Bob Dillon and Cat Tucker replaced Councilmen Valiquette, Roland Velasco and Paul Correa Monday night. The latter decided not to run for re-election last month, but they all had someone to thank.
“I’ve been very lucky to work with such a skilled staff in Gilroy,” said Valiquette, who then extended a special thank-you to Velasco for the common sense he said he brought to the dais.
Velasco, who served two terms on the council starting in 1999, thanked the police and fire departments, city staff and, of course, his former colleagues.
“There were times when I really, really enjoyed working with you, but there were other times, as Russ (Valiquette) said, when it was a bit challenging,” Velasco said.
Correa thanked his parents and expressed amazement at the fact that he was able to serve on the council after growing up in Gilroy.
None of the former councilmen expressed specific interest in re-entering the public limelight, but Velasco works as an aide to Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage. And Mayor Al Pinheiro, who won his re-election bid against Councilman Craig Gartman, said he knew Valiquette would not stop chugging for Gilroy.
“I know something, which is probably something many people don’t know, which is that you will not stop working for this city,” Pinheiro told Valiquette as he handed him a commemorative clock.
“Well, I know,” Valiquette said. “I just can’t get kicked enough.”
Moments later, Valiquette called out Woodward in the crowd, before his swearing-in, and told him to cherish his time with his 2-year-old daughter since Valiquette now has to look up to see his two boys.
Velasco also addressed a new councilmember specifically, but not for advice.
“I want to point out Cat Tucker,” Velasco said. “I think it’s going to be nice to finally have a rose between six thorns up here.”
Continuing on the lighter note, Pinheiro, who thanked all three men for being team players and pragmatic problem-solvers, said he spoke with Velasco’s wife earlier Monday and asked her what she had planned for her husband now that he has more time to spare.
“She said she would find things for you to do,” Pinheiro said as the crowd chuckled. “At times, you’re going to wish you were up here!”
“Well,” Velasco said as the room built with laughter, “I don’t know about that.”
